Assemblyman Andrew Molitor (R,C-Westfield) today stood with Assembly Minority lawmakers as they strongly criticized the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) for even considering the early release of inmates due to staffing shortages in state prisons. This proposal, which would allow convicted felons to be released before completing their prison sentences, raises serious concerns about public safety, law enforcement capacity, and community stability.

“This is a dangerous path for New York,” said Molitor. “Rather than fixing the root causes of our correctional staffing crisis—low wages, unsafe conditions and extreme overtime—DOCCS is looking for a quick fix that puts our communities at risk.”

Molitor warned that releasing inmates early would have immediate and long-term consequences for public safety. Police departments, already stretched thin, would have to be extra vigilant in monitoring an influx of released individuals. Parole officers, who are already managing high caseloads, would face an even greater burden, increasing the risk that individuals could slip through the cracks.

“This isn’t just about staffing in prisons—it’s about the ripple effects this decision will have on every level of law enforcement and public safety,” Molitor continued. “More parolees mean more oversight demands, more risks for recidivism and more pressure on our local police departments to respond to potential issues. This is a policy failure in the making.”

Molitor urged DOCCS and the governor to abandon any plans for early inmate releases and instead focus on real solutions to address the correctional staffing shortage.

“The state needs to step up, hire more correction officers, improve working conditions and restore stability to our prisons,” Molitor concluded. “Public safety cannot take a backseat to bureaucratic convenience.”